What is lapping?

Lapping is a polishing process that can achieve highly precise surface roughness by rubbing workpiece with abrasive particles at constant pressure. The particles pressed against the workpiece’s surface work as a micro tool, progressing the micromachining of the surface. By lapping the cemented carbide, it is possible to achieve a mirror finish with a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.1 μm or less, while maintaining the dimensional accuracy from pre-processing.

Tyeps of lapping

The lapping processes we carry out include ①hand lap, ②aero lap, and ③fluid polishing.
The following shows the detailed features of each.

Hand lap

If the shape of workpiece allows rotation (such as round shape), it could be polished by applying appropriate pressure by hand while rotating the workpiece using a piece of wood coated with diamond paste.
If the shape is irregular, tools such as an ultrasonic grinding machine or an electric grinder is used to polish the workpiece using diamond paste.
The appropriate grain size is selected according to the desired surface roughness.

Aero lap

A method of polishing the surface by spraying wet abrasive grains at high speed.
Appropriate for mirror-finishing irregular shapes in a short time without damaging the dimensions and shape, which would be difficult with hand lapping.

Fluid polishing

The inner diameter is polished by pumping abrasive slurry.
Consistent polishing can be achieved even with small holes and complicated shapes.

Precise surface roughness can be achieved by lapping

With the lapping process introduced above, it is possible to achieve precise surface roughness even with cemented carbide.
Therefore, they are the most suitable polishing process for cemented carbide.
Please refer to the table below for detailed figures.

*The above values are examples and may vary, depending on the product shape and material.

We will handle it

We have the know-how to identify the causes of defects from analytical investigation of the wear and deterioration state of cemented carbide dies, and propose the most suitable machining in respect to the identified causes based on our past cases of improvements and theoretical perspectives.